If you like this, try…
Wines like Merlot
A plush, plum-scented Bordeaux variety that ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon and produces softer, rounder wine. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.
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What do you like about Merlot?
Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.
What these words mean
- The rich dark fruit
- Blackberry, plum, black cherry — fruit that tastes ripe and generous rather than tart. It comes from warm-climate ripening and it is what most people mean when they call a red "fruity".
- The bright red fruit
- Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
- How smooth and soft it is
- Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
- How full and weighty it is
- Body is how much the wine seems to fill your mouth — the difference between skimmed and whole milk. It comes mostly from alcohol and ripeness.
- The vanilla and oak
- Vanilla, toast, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes smoke. It comes from the barrel rather than the grape, which is why the same grape can taste completely different with and without it.
- That it is properly dry
- No perceptible sugar at all. Almost all red wine is dry and a good deal of white wine is not, which is why this is a more useful thing to say about a white than about a red.
Looking for something moving away from too jammy or sweet-tasting.
Based on what you said
Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
- Substantially less jammy or sweet-tasting.
Closest overall
Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.
Closest matches
The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Different grape, similar feel
Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Change the structure
Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.
Similar but lighter
Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Similar but lower in alcohol
Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Red Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Cabernet Franc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and earthier.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Similar but fuller
Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Uruguayan Tannat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Douro red
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Similar but less tannic
For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.
White Burgundy
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Savagnin
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Jura Savagnin and Chardonnay
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Savennières
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and fresher and more acidic.
Similar but more structured
More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Aglianico
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Baga
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Similar but fresher
Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.
Areni
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and leaner and more cutting.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Similar but softer
Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.
Marsanne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Grenache Blanc
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and less tannic and softer.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
The sparkling version
Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.
Champagne
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.
Corpinnat
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.
English sparkling wine
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and fresher and more acidic.
Cava
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more sparkling, and less tannic and softer.
Similar but sweeter
Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.
Tinta Negra
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Sagrantino
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Tawny Port
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and sweeter.
Saperavi
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and fresher and more acidic.
Change the flavour
Same shape, different aromatic character.
Similar but less oaky
One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more oaky.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more oaky, and earthier.
Tibouren
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and lighter.
Similar but more oaky
Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Rioja
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Rioja Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less oaky, and earthier.
Rioja Gran Reserva
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.
Similar but more aromatic
More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and fresher and more acidic.
Barolo
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and more aromatic.
Similar but more restrained
For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.
Palomino Fino
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and less tannic and softer.
Franken Silvaner
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and earthier.
Muscadet
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more restrained in fruit, and lighter.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be more aromatic, and earthier.
Similar but more floral
Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.
Pinot Noir
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Barbaresco
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Nebbiolo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and more tannic and structured.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more neutral and subtle.
Similar but more savoury
Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Similar but fruitier
More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.
Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Change the place
Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.
Same grape, somewhere else
Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
Stellenbosch Cabernet and Cape Bordeaux blends
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Same grape, cooler climate
Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fuller and richer.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Same grape, warmer climate
Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon
Both are made from merlot.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and lighter.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and earthier.
Change the mood
Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.
A safe next step
Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.
Red Bordeaux
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti Classico
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Chianti
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be fresher and more acidic, and fresher.
Tempranillo
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Something more adventurous
Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
A better-value alternative
Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.
Cahors
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more floral.
Mourvèdre
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.
Carignan
The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and fresher and more acidic.
Chianti Classico Riserva
Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.
Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and fresher and more acidic.
A step up
The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.
Ribera del Duero
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Priorat
They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.
Super Tuscan
Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more fruit-driven.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Both come from the same country.
Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and earthier.
Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.